~42~

I woke to the calming scent of honey and whiskey wafting in the air and sighed in content, snuggling deeper into the bed. His side of the bed was still warm, it hasn't been long since he got up. My last memory before passing out was being held in my mate's arms. Wriggling my way out of the cotton clouds of relaxation, I jumped out of bed and picked up a shirt looking about my size and a pair of loose gray pants, tugging them on and leaving the room.

I was greeted by some sympathetic looks from the maids and a few guys around, one of the maids assigned to nurse me back to health panicking that I should be on bed rest

"I'm fine" I insisted over her pleas on bed rest. She resolved quickly, mumbling about being in trouble.

Not long after my encounter with the maid Bruce stormed down the hall towards my direction, face pinched with worry "Amar" he sighed and enveloped me in a hug. Bruce held me tightly, his embrace offering a sense of comfort. His face was etched with concern as he pulled away slightly, his eyes scanning my features for any signs of injury.

"Amar," he began, his voice low and soothing, "are you alright?"

"Bruce, I'm fine I promise" He didn't seem to believe me, swiftly carrying me back to the room. My pleas were heard on deaf ears as my mate carried me like I weighed nothing back to bed. Kicking and fighting back was barely an option for me with my current weakened state, not like I could even fight back if I had my strength. The man is annoyingly strong. I sighed when I was placed back on the bed glaring at him

"You need to rest" he advised. Yes, I need to rest but staying in a bed all day isn't my idea of fun. I could be out exploring, or at least sitting by the window watching the world go by. But no, I'm stuck here, a prisoner in my own body. I tried to sit up, but Bruce's hand gently pushed me back down. I want to fight against him, try to explain that I really am fine but seeing him look so haggard even after saving Lucas and I.

"Bruce..." Gazing at me with a look I'm all to familiar with, my hands cradle his face and I offer a small smile which manages to lift his mood.

Here I am, selfish about being completely fine when my mate who is built like a tank and can bend me in ways I'd never deny look like a broken man

"I never got to thank you.... for saving me" I smile. Bruce sags his shoulders

"Lucas and I would still be in that warehouse and I would've been...." I mentally shake off the image and focus on my mate's face cradled  in my palm, rubbing my thumbs soothingly to calm him. Closing his eyes he leaned into my touch.

"I'll stay in bed if you're with me" He nods and stands up, walking to the chair by the window. I stop him from leaving, his hands held firmly in mine. Using a little force I pulled him over me and clasped my legs around his waist, kissing his cheek. Bruce went rigid above me, and I chuckled.

"I meant sleep beside me Bruce" He groaned, burying his face in my shoulder and wrapped his arms around me, inhaling deeply. He pulled away, carrying me with him, turning to sit and lay down pulling us both into bed.

I sighed contentedly, feeling the warmth of Bruce's body against mine. "This is nice," he murmured, his voice soft and filled with affection. I smiled, my fingers tracing gentle patterns on his back.

"Yes, it is," I whispered back, my eyes closing as I nestled closer. The room was quiet, the only sound the rhythmic beating of our hearts in unison.

As we lay there, wrapped in each other's embrace, the world outside seemed to fade away. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the comfort and love we found in each other's arms.

---

"If anything happens I'll tell you" I pleaded with my stubborn mate. His jaw tightened, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. I wasn't leaving the mansion, it was just the garden and even that Bruce in all his stubbornness won't even let me leave the bed. Yesterday was alright, I thought I talked him to relax but I'm back at square one

"Anything can happen" he argued. I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration, I will kick his shins I swear it.

"The garden? With your men there?"

He's been uneasy since the rescue and I understand that, but I can't deal with this. Assuring him that I'm fine only did so much. I held the collar of his shirt and pulled him to my eye level. His eyes widened in surprise and wanted to pull away but I held it firmly, glaring at him

Bruce's jaw tightened, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. I wasn't leaving the mansion, it was just the garden, and even that Bruce, in all his stubbornness, wouldn't let me leave the bed. Yesterday was alright; I thought I had talked him into relaxing, but I'm back at square one.

"Alright," he finally said, his voice softening. "But only if you promise to take it easy."

"I promise," I replied, relief washing over me. His sigh was a concession, a flicker of understanding in his otherwise stubborn gaze. I released his shirt, feeling a surge of relief.

"Thank you," I murmured .I walked toward the French doors that led to the garden, my heart pounding with anticipation. The sun was shining brightly, casting long shadows across the manicured lawn. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

As I stepped outside, I felt a sense of freedom wash over me. The fresh air filled my lungs, and I took a deep breath.

I wandered through the rows of colorful flowers, admiring their beauty. A small, winding path led to a secluded gazebo, nestled among the trees. I sat down on one of the wooden benches, closing my eyes and listening to the birdsong.

Victoria came into view, sitting under the summer hut, sighing every one minute

"What are you still doing here?" I questioned the blonde. Vicky sighed and looked down playing with her fingers. "I swear I had nothing to do with what happened to you and Lucas"

Eyebrows raised in question and I gave her a once over. She looked skinnier than before, her once bright complexion pale with bags under her eyes, not that it's my problem.

"Then what are you doing here, I thought Bruce would've kicked you out" she sighed, rubbing her head.

"He did, but I begged him. Believe it or not I don't have anywhere else to go" she laughed sadly. It's funny hearing that from her, not long ago she acted like the world was in her palm, planning to get rid of me. I hated her the moment I saw her clinging to my mate. Now, I don't know if it's pity or amusement.

"You can go to Ace, I'm positive he'd take you in with open arms" I folded my arms and glared at her. She scoffed

"Yeah, in a casket perhaps".I definitely wouldn't put it past him to do that. Victoria's words were a stark reminder of the dangerous world we lived in. Ace was a ruthless man, capable of anything. I couldn't imagine her going to him for help, let alone expecting him to welcome her with open arms.

"I don't know why you're still here," I said, my voice filled with confusion. "You could have left at any time."

She shrugged, a careless gesture that belied the pain in her eyes. "Where would I go?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "This is the only life I know."

I felt a pang of sympathy for her. Despite her past actions, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She was a broken woman, lost and alone.

I couldn't offer any form of solace for her"I don't know what to say," I admitted, my voice filled with uncertainty. "I wish I could help you, but I don't know how."

She shrugged, her expression one of resignation. "It's okay," she said. "I'm used to being alone."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness for her. She had lived a life of isolation, surrounded by people but truly alone. It was a heartbreaking realization.

As I sat there, lost in thought, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this story than Victoria was willing to reveal. There was a darkness lurking beneath the surface, a secret that she was keeping hidden.

"Is there something else you want to tell me?" I asked, my voice gentle. "Something you haven't told me yet."

She hesitated, her eyes darting away from mine. "It's not important," she said. "It's just a story."

I knew she wasn't telling me the truth. There was something about her that was different, something that suggested she had been through a lot more than she was willing to admit.

"Please," I urged. "Tell me what happened."

She sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and sadness. "It's a long story," she said. "And it's not a pretty one."

I nodded, indicating that I was ready to listen. She took a deep breath and began to speak.

"It started when I was young," she said. "Elise and I were always different from the other kids. Quiet and withdrawn, and I didn't fit in. They would tease me and bully me, and I would just take it for my sister's sake"

As she spoke, I could see the pain in her eyes. She was reliving a traumatic experience, and it was clear that it still haunted her.

"One day," she continued, "a group of boys cornered us in the park I told elise to run. They started to do terrible things to me, and I couldn't stop them. I was scared and helpless, and I didn't know what to do."

Her voice trembled as she spoke, and I could feel her pain. It was a horrific story, one that no child should ever have to endure.

"After that," she said, "I became a different person. I was angry and bitter, and I wanted to hurt others the way they had hurt me. I started to do bad things, and I didn't care about the consequences."

She paused, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry for what I did."

I reached out and took her hand. "Admitting your wrongs is a step to healing" I smiled and her tears began to flow, I could feel the pain and anger she held in her heart all those years slowly dissipating. I won't forget how she wanted to take my mate from me but staying angry at a person in a state like hers doesn't feel too good

"I'll just go to my room" she sniffled and got up, dusting off her dress. Her eyes were puffy and the tear streams washed off a bit of her makeup but she looked better now. I nodded in understanding and watched as she walked away

I'm probably being fooled by her and you're all thinking the same

For someone who suffered under his father's hand all for being the dominant omega, I understood her. Forgiving her may be a possibility but not one to come anytime soon.

A/N

Hii I'm still alive

See you in the next chapter muffin 💞✨